Fattoria di Felsina
Felsina is an estate with ancient history, although it is only in the last 30 years that it has morphed into a Chianti estate of the highest quality. This all began in 1961, when Domenico Poggiali acquired the buildings and 57 ha of vineyards that are now largely run by his son-in-law Guiseppe Mazzocolin,married with Gloria Poggiali. An examination of more ancient history, however, reveals Felsina's fascinating past. Already in existence by the 12th Century, this estate, or grancia, was once a roadside hospital manned by Benedictine monks, who tended to the needs of the sick and weary pilgrims that passed by on the Strata de Rancia. The monks worked in association with the staff at the nearby Santa Maria della Scala hospital in Siena, a huge complex of Medieval buildings opposite the Duomo, the town's cathedral.
Felsina maintains its position in the top tier of Chianti producers. Unfortunately, whether they be in Chianti, Chateauneuf or Côte Rôtie, prices have slowly but steadily risen over the past few years.
Contact details:
Address: Strada Chiantigiana 484, Castelnuovo Berardenga
Telephone: +39 057 735 5117
Fax: +39 057 735 5651
Internet: www.felsina.it
Fattoria di Felsina - Tasting Notes
The following wines were tasted in September 2005.
Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico 2000: Good, deep colour. Smoky, charred meat and roasted berry nose. A sense of freshness, which carries through onto the palate, helped by correct acids. This alone sets this apart from a number of other 2000s. Just a hint of polyphenol influence to the texture, nice extract, and fresh, ripe, firm fruit.
Felsina Berardenga Rancia Chianti Classico Riserva 1999: Very deep colour. On the nose, smoked, macerated black cherries, black olives, hints of savoury sun-dried tomatoes. Rich palate, displaying impeccable balance. Packed with mineral, cherry, tomato and bacon flavour, still showing just a little oak, although this is negligible. Lovely extract, very pure overall, with some elegance coming through. Emerging complexity here. Grippy finish and great length. This is marvellous, and has such potential.
Felsina Berardenga Rancia Chianti Classico Riserva 2002: Lovely, deep colour. Very youthful, and rather restrained as a result, giving little on the nose other than some pleasing dark fruits. On the palate, it shows wonderful texture, extract and structure, although at present the complexity and finesse this cuvée is so rightly popular for has yet to show. But it is brimming with good potential for the future. Leave well alone for five years as a minimum.
The following wines were tasted in September 2002.
Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico 1999: A fairly deep, garnet red hue. Quite expressive on the nose at first, throwing around dark fruit aromas, but with minutes it closes down, leaving a delightful scent of black olives hiding behind a rubbery mask. Notes of wood polish suggest the presence of some volatile acids. Later some black cherry notes appear. Towards the finish the black olive and dark fruit character really builds, with some good fatness. Full bodied on the palate, with good extract, and powerful acidity, with tannins taking a position in the background. With time real weight and a sweet, smoky character develops, although this remains very much tempered by the acidity. Lovely stuff. The finish hides an acidic kick. Very good.
Felsina Berardenga Rancia Chianti Classico Riserva 1994: A fading red hue, a touch tawny at the rim, but with no other sign of age. Grilled meats on the nose, with chalky, smoky, firm berry fruit. There's also a suggestion of volatile acids. The palate is medium bodied, with a sweet, rounded texture, together with some intense, freshly acidic fruit. Lovely, firm tannins, more apparent on the finish, giving great structure. Delicious, stylish stuff, that has come together really well since I last tasted it, and it gets better with every glass. Excellent.
The following wines were tasted in November 2000.
Felsina Berardenga Rancia Chianti Classico Riserva 1994: Two bottles consumed within a few months of one another. A deep purple colour with a hint of tawny at
the rim. Some initial bottle stink quickly blows away,
and the nose develops complex aromas of coffee, tea and
oak, with some red and black fruits. Wonderfully balanced. Round, black fruit flavours, black
pepper, with herb notes. Medium bodied. The palate has
prickling yet gentle acidity, and soft tannins. Lovely finish - a
delightful wine. The latter bottle had a lovely, inky purple black. Bags
of toasty oak on the nose, with rich blackberry and
blackcurrant aromas. The palate is full bodied, with rich
plum and blackberry fruit, more toasty oak, very fine,
grainy, just integrated tannins, and spot-on acidity. A
superb, mouth filling texture, and an elegant finish.
Superb wine, and so much richer.
